If you’re a pizza aficionado on the hunt for a slice that combines tradition, flavor, and that perfect crispy bite, Zoni’s Brooklyn Brick Coal Oven Pizzeria in Sea Girt, NJ, might just be your next obsession. Nestled at 2100 NJ-35, this spot—formerly The Coal House—has quickly made a name for itself since opening its doors in August 2024, bringing the authentic taste of Brooklyn-style, coal-fired pizza to the Jersey Shore. With a 1,000-degree coal oven at its heart, Zoni’s promises a crust that’s thin, charred, and delightfully crisp, and the reviews from Yelp, Tripadvisor, and Google suggest it’s living up to the hype.
What sets Zoni’s apart is its commitment to the craft of coal-fired pizza, a method rooted in old-school New York tradition. The oven, a hulking beast that takes 45 minutes to reach its blazing peak, infuses each pie with a smoky depth and a texture that’s hard to replicate. Owner Robert “Rob Brooklyn” Tarzia, who also runs a beloved location in Middletown, stumbled into this Sea Girt gem while shopping for a coffee machine—only to end up buying the whole place when he spotted the identical coal oven he swears by. The result? A pizza that’s drawing foodies from near and far, eager to taste that signature crispiness.
Yelp reviewers rave about the crust’s perfection. One diner at the Red Bank location (a sister spot with the same coal-fired ethos) described it as “thin crust coal-fired pizza” that’s “outstanding,” a sentiment echoed in Sea Girt reviews. On Google, a visitor gushed, “The BEST pizza I have ever had. Truthfully, the sauce so tasteful, and the crust was perfectly cooked. 12/10!” That crisp, charred edge—reminiscent of a fresh-baked loaf of bread—is a hallmark of Zoni’s, and it’s no surprise given the oven’s intense heat and Tarzia’s pizza pedigree, honed at places like Grimaldi’s.
While Zoni’s offers a range of pies, the Margherita seems to steal the show, earning accolades like “Best Margherita Pizza” at the Jersey Shore Pizza Wars. It’s a simple yet masterful combo: tangy sauce, fresh mozzarella, basil, and a drizzle of olive oil, all atop that crispy coal-fired base. A Tripadvisor reviewer from the Red Bank location called it “THE BEST coal-fired Margarita Pizza,” paired with excellent service and a cannoli to cap it off. Sea Girt diners agree—Google reviews praise the “classic plain” as “perfect,” with one user noting, “This may have been one of the best pizzas in our area!!”
The Margherita’s crisp crust doesn’t just hold up—it sings with flavor, thanks to the coal’s subtle smokiness. Yelp users at the Middletown spot (another Zoni’s outpost) have noted the “award-winning pizza” status, and Sea Girt seems to be carrying that torch with gusto. One Google reviewer even suggested, “Dave Portnoy would rank this pizza very highly,” invoking the Barstool Sports pizza guru’s seal of approval.
It’s not just the pizza that’s crispy and crave-worthy. Zoni’s coal-fired wings—marinated overnight in lemon, rosemary, and garlic, then topped with caramelized onions—have diners buzzing. A Yelp review from Red Bank called them “unique” and “to die for,” while a Middletown Google user dubbed them “amazing.” In Sea Girt, the vibe is just as inviting, with outdoor seating doubling the space of Tarzia’s Middletown digs, perfect for enjoying a pie and wings under the Jersey sky.
Reviews aren’t unanimous—some critique the occasional doughy slice or overpowering sauce—but the consensus is clear: when Zoni’s nails it, it’s a crispy, coal-fired revelation.
Tripadvisor users at Red Bank call it a “Jersey Shore gem,” while Sea Girt’s Google fans hail the “excellent service” and “amazing food.” One Yelp reviewer from Middletown summed it up: “By far the best coal-fired I have tried yet. Run to this destination, Rob Brooklyn knows his pizza.”
